For the study of sperm the scientists have proposed the application of nanoparticles.
Sperm cells live a short period of time outside the body making it difficult to study them. However, it is necessary for identification of the causes of male infertility and for the search for new methods of its treatment.
Researchers from the University of Oxford have conducted experiments with sperm of male pigs (since their morphological characteristics are the most similar to human).
Scientists managed to "connect" sperm cells with silicon nanoparticles, and now the researchers plan to find out whether these nanoparticles would work, if they were filled with some active substances, as well as to repeat experiments with human sperm.
"Nanoparticles are similar to empty envelopes, which can be filled with various substances, and placed into cells. Nanoparticles that we use do not interact with sperm, which makes them an excellent means of delivery", - work manager Natalia Barkalina comments the results of the research.
Scientists hope that in the future this technique will allow to reveal causes of infertility of unknown etiology, and, possibly, to carry out treatment, delivering medicinal substances directly into the germ cells via nanoparticles.
